Doncaster Council Tax 2026/27

Doncaster withdraws support faster: the 30p rule

Doncaster's local Council Tax Reduction scheme for working-age residents follows the national pension-age rules, with key differences. The biggest is the taper. Once your income is above the amount the scheme says you need to live on, support falls by 30p for every extra £1, rather than the 20p used for pensioners. Second Adult Rebate is also not available to working-age claimants, and all Child Benefit and any maintenance received for children or from a former partner count as income. Doncaster says it has made no local changes since 1 April 2020 beyond those the government prescribes.

Example: a working-age couple whose income is £40 a week above their assessed needs loses £12 a week of support (30% of £40), about £626 a year. Under the 20p pension-age rule they would lose £8 a week, about £417 a year. On a Band A bill of £1,445.17, the faster taper adds roughly £209 a year to what they pay.

The 30p taper does not apply to pensioners. It also does not apply to anyone getting maximum support because they receive Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related ESA. The savings limit is £16,000, unless you get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.

No empty-home discounts since 2013, and a premium on second homes after a year

Doncaster's full council decided on 17 January 2013 to give no discount on empty homes, whether unoccupied and unfurnished, uninhabitable or furnished. Owners have paid 100% from the first day ever since. Long-term empty premiums now start after 12 months: 200% of the normal charge from 1 to 5 years, 300% after 5 years and 400% after 10 years. The council applies discounts and premiums automatically. You cannot appeal the level of a premium, but you can appeal against your home being classed as empty, furnished or unfurnished, and you may need to provide evidence or allow an inspection.

From 1 April 2025 Doncaster added a 100% premium on homes that are unoccupied but substantially furnished, once they have been like that for at least 12 months. A furnished second home pays the normal charge for its first year, then double: £3,372.06 a year for a Band B home at the area average.

Switching to direct debit

You can set up or change a direct debit online at any time. Any instalment that is already overdue, or due within the next 14 days, is not included in the new direct debit and must still be paid the old way. If you change bank details within 10 days of your usual payment date, one more payment may still come from the old account.